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Aladdin 2019: How Arabian Nights Inspired the Live-Action Remake



Aladdin 2019: A Whole New World of Arabian Nights




Aladdin is a 2019 American musical fantasy film directed by Guy Ritchie from a screenplay he co-wrote with John August. It is a live-action adaptation of Disney's 1992 animated film of the same name, which is based on a French addition to the Middle Eastern folk tale One Thousand and One Nights. The film stars Will Smith as the Genie, Mena Massoud as Aladdin, Naomi Scott as Jasmine, Marwan Kenzari as Jafar, Navid Negahban as the Sultan, Nasim Pedrad as Dalia, Billy Magnussen as Prince Anders, and Numan Acar as Hakim.




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The plot follows Aladdin, a street urchin, as he falls in love with Princess Jasmine, befriends a wish-granting genie, and battles the wicked sorcerer Jafar. The film was theatrically released in the United States on May 24, 2019. It grossed over $1 billion worldwide, making it the ninth highest-grossing film of 2019. The film received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its music, costume design, and performances of Smith, Massoud, and Scott but criticized Ritchie's direction, the CGI, and Kenzari's characterization of Jafar.


In this article, we will explore the story, music, visuals, and reception of Aladdin 2019, and see why it is a whole new world of Arabian nights.


The Story of Aladdin and Jasmine




Aladdin is a poor but kind-hearted street urchin who lives in the city of Agrabah with his monkey Abu. He meets Princess Jasmine, who has disguised herself as a commoner to escape her sheltered life in the palace. She is unhappy with her father's rule that she must marry one of her royal suitors. She wishes to succeed him as Sultan and rule with compassion and justice.


Aladdin saves Jasmine from being arrested by Jafar's guards for giving bread to some children without paying. He takes her to his hideout where they bond over their desire for freedom. He also shows her his prized possession: a magic carpet that he found in the desert.


Jafar is the Grand Vizier who secretly plots to overthrow the Sultan and take over Agrabah. He seeks a magic lamp hidden in the Cave of Wonders that can grant him three wishes. However, only "the diamond in the rough" can enter the cave without being destroyed.


Jafar captures Aladdin and convinces him to retrieve the lamp for him in exchange for riches. Aladdin agrees and enters the cave with Abu. There he finds the lamp and frees the carpet from under a pile of rocks. However However, Abu touches a forbidden ruby and causes the cave to collapse. Aladdin and Abu manage to escape with the help of the carpet, but Jafar tries to double-cross them and take the lamp. Aladdin outwits him and keeps the lamp for himself. He also discovers that the lamp contains a powerful and charismatic genie who can grant him three wishes.


Aladdin befriends the genie and learns that he can wish for anything except killing someone, making someone fall in love, or bringing someone back from the dead. He also learns that the genie has been trapped in the lamp for thousands of years and wishes to be free. Aladdin promises to use his last wish to set him free.


Aladdin decides to use his first wish to become a prince so that he can woo Jasmine. The genie transforms him into Prince Ali of Ababwa and gives him a lavish entourage, including a new outfit, a sword, and an elephant. Aladdin arrives in Agrabah and impresses the Sultan with his wealth and charm. He also catches Jasmine's eye, but she does not recognize him as the boy she met in the market.


Aladdin tries to win Jasmine's heart by taking her on a magic carpet ride around the world. He also reveals his true identity to her and confesses his feelings. Jasmine reciprocates his love, but she is angry that he lied to her about being a prince. She also tells him that she cannot marry him because of her father's law.


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Jafar, who has become suspicious of Aladdin's identity, tries to expose him as a fraud and eliminate him. He hires a thief named Iago to steal the lamp from Aladdin's room. He then uses his first wish to become Sultan and his second wish to become the most powerful sorcerer in the world. He usurps the throne and enslaves everyone in Agrabah, including the Sultan, Jasmine, and Aladdin.


Aladdin, who has been thrown into the sea by Jafar, manages to survive with the help of the carpet and Abu. He returns to Agrabah and confronts Jafar. He also frees the genie from Jafar's control by tricking him into using his third wish to become a genie himself. Jafar is then sucked into a new lamp along with Iago, while Aladdin and his friends are freed from his spells.


The Sultan, who is impressed by Aladdin's bravery and honesty, decides to change the law and allow Jasmine to marry whoever she chooses. Jasmine chooses Aladdin, who uses his third wish to free the genie from the lamp. The genie then leaves Agrabah to explore the world as a human. Aladdin and Jasmine get married and live happily ever after.


The Music and Songs of Aladdin




One of the most memorable aspects of Aladdin is its music and songs, which are composed by Alan Menken with lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice, Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, and Will Smith. The film features new versions of the classic songs from the original animated film, such as "Arabian Nights", "One Jump Ahead", "Friend Like Me", "Prince Ali", "A Whole New World", and "Speechless".


"Arabian Nights" is the opening song that introduces the setting and mood of the film. It is sung by Will Smith as the genie in his human form, who acts as the narrator of the story. The song describes the exotic and mysterious land of Agrabah and its people, culture, and history.


"One Jump Ahead" is a song that showcases Aladdin's skills as a street urchin and thief. It is sung by Mena Massoud as Aladdin as he escapes from Jafar's guards after stealing a loaf of bread. The song reveals Aladdin's personality, dreams, and struggles as he tries to survive in a harsh world.


"Friend Like Me" is a song that introduces the genie and his powers to Aladdin. It is sung by Will Smith as the genie as he performs various tricks and transformations inside the Cave of Wonders. The song emphasizes the genie's charisma, humor, and generosity as he offers to grant Aladdin three wishes.


"Prince Ali" is a song that announces Aladdin's arrival in Agrabah as Prince Ali of Ababwa. It is sung by Will Smith as the genie as he leads a spectacular parade of dancers, animals, and musicians through the city streets. The song praises Aladdin's wealth, charm, and nobility as he tries to impress Jasmine and her father.


"A Whole New World" is a romantic duet between Aladdin and Jasmine as they fly on the magic carpet around the world. It is sung by Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott as Aladdin and Jasmine as they express their feelings for each other and their desire to explore new horizons. The song is one of the most iconic and popular songs from the film and the Disney franchise.


"Speechless" is a new song that was written for the film to highlight Jasmine's character arc and empowerment. It is sung by Naomi Scott as Jasmine as she stands up to Jafar and his tyranny. The song reflects Jasmine's determination, courage, and voice as she vows to never be silenced or oppressed by anyone.


The Visuals and Effects of Aladdin




Another remarkable aspect of Aladdin is its visuals and effects, which are created by a combination of CGI and practical effects. The film transports the viewers to a vibrant and colorful world of Agrabah and its surroundings, such as the desert, the oasis, the sea, and the Cave of Wonders.


The film uses CGI to create realistic and expressive characters, such as the genie, Abu, Iago, Rajah, and the magic carpet. The film also uses CGI to enhance the action sequences, such as the chase scenes, the magic carpet ride, the battle with Jafar, and the final transformation of Jafar into a genie.


The film also uses practical effects to create authentic and immersive sets, costumes, props, and makeup. The film was shot in various locations in England, Jordan, and Morocco to capture the natural beauty and diversity of the Middle East. The film also hired hundreds of extras and performers to fill the streets of Agrabah with life and culture. The film also paid homage to the original film's style and design by incorporating elements from its animation, such as the patterns, colors, shapes, and motifs.


The Reception and Legacy of Aladdin




The final aspect of Aladdin that we will discuss is its reception and legacy. The film received mixed reviews from critics but positive feedback from audiences. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 57% based on 394 reviews, with an average rating of 5.8/10. The website's critical consensus reads: "Aladdin retells its classic source material's story with sufficient spectacle and skill, even if it never approaches the dazzling splendor of the animated original." On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 53 out of 100 based on 50 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".


However, on CinemaScore, audiences gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale. On PostTrak, audiences gave it an average 4.5 out of 5 stars. Many viewers praised the film's music, humor, romance, diversity, and nostalgia. They also complimented the performances of Smith, Massoud, and Scott for bringing their own charm and charisma to their roles.


The film also became a huge commercial success at the box office. It grossed over $1 billion worldwide against a production budget of $183 million. It became the ninth highest-grossing film of 2019 and the 34th highest-grossing film of all time. It also became Will Smith's highest-grossing film ever.


The film also inspired a sequel in development at Disney with Ritchie returning as director and Massoud, Scott, and Smith expected to reprise their roles. The sequel will reportedly be an original story and not a remake of the 1994 animated film The Return of Jafar. The film also sparked a possible spin-off for Billy Magnussen's character Prince Anders, who was a new addition to the live-action film. The spin-off will be a comedy adventure that will explore his backstory and adventures. Conclusion




Aladdin 2019 is a whole new world of Arabian nights that offers a fresh and fun take on the classic tale. The film features a captivating story, catchy songs, stunning visuals, and charming performances. The film also celebrates the culture and diversity of the Middle East and its people. The film is a must-watch for fans of the original film and newcomers alike. It is a magical and musical journey that will make you believe in the power of love, friendship, and freedom.


FAQs




Here are some frequently asked questions about Aladdin 2019:


  • Q: How does Aladdin 2019 differ from the original animated film?



A: Aladdin 2019 is a live-action adaptation that follows the same basic plot as the original film but adds some new elements and changes. Some of the differences include:


  • Jasmine has a more prominent role and a new song called "Speechless". She also has a handmaiden named Dalia who is her best friend and confidante.



  • The genie has a human form and a love interest in Dalia. He also has a backstory that explains how he became trapped in the lamp.



  • Jafar has a different motivation and origin. He is a former street urchin who wants to conquer other lands and unleash a powerful weapon called the Marid.



  • Iago is not a talking parrot but a normal bird who can mimic voices. He is also more loyal to Jafar and less comedic.



  • The film features new songs written by Alan Menken, Pasek and Paul, and Will Smith, such as "Speechless", "Desert Moon", "Harvest Dance", and "Friend Like Me (End Title)".



  • Q: Who are the main cast members of Aladdin 2019?



A: The main cast members of Aladdin 2019 are:


  • Will Smith as the Genie, a powerful and charismatic being who can grant three wishes to whoever possesses his magic lamp.



  • Mena Massoud as Aladdin, a poor but kind-hearted street urchin who falls in love with Princess Jasmine and befriends the Genie.



  • Naomi Scott as Jasmine, the princess of Agrabah who wants to have more freedom and responsibility in her life.



  • Marwan Kenzari as Jafar, the Grand Vizier of Agrabah who plots to overthrow the Sultan and take over the kingdom.



  • Navid Negahban as the Sultan, the ruler of Agrabah who loves his daughter Jasmine but wants her to marry a prince.



  • Nasim Pedrad as Dalia, Jasmine's handmaiden and best friend who develops a romantic relationship with the Genie.



  • Billy Magnussen as Prince Anders, one of Jasmine's suitors who comes from a Nordic kingdom called Skanland.



  • Numan Acar as Hakim, the head of the palace guards who is loyal to the Sultan but conflicted by Jafar's orders.



  • Q: What are some of the themes and messages of Aladdin 2019?



A: Some of the themes and messages of Aladdin 2019 are:


  • The importance of being true to yourself and not pretending to be someone you are not.



  • The power of love, friendship, and trust over greed, deception, and fear.



  • The value of freedom, choice, and agency over oppression, restriction, and control.



  • The beauty and diversity of different cultures, traditions, and people.



  • The responsibility and duty of being a leader who cares for the well-being of others.



  • Q: How can I watch Aladdin 2019?



A: You can watch Aladdin 2019 on various platforms such as:


  • Theatrical release: The film was released in theaters on May 24, 2019 in the United States. You can check your local listings for showtimes and tickets.



  • Digital release: The film was released on digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, iTunes , Google Play, Vudu, and YouTube on August 27, 2019. You can rent or buy the film online and watch it on your device.



  • Physical release: The film was released on DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K Ultra HD on September 10, 2019. You can purchase the film from various retailers and enjoy it on your home theater system.



  • Streaming service: The film is available to stream on Disney+, the streaming service of Disney that launched on November 12, 2019. You can subscribe to the service and watch the film along with other Disney content.



  • Q: Who are the creators and producers of Aladdin 2019?



A: The creators and producers of Aladdin 2019 are:


  • Director: Guy Ritchie, who is known for his crime and action films such as Snatch, Sherlock Holmes, and The Man from U.N.C.L.E.



  • Screenwriters: John August, who is known for his collaborations with Tim Burton such as Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Corpse Bride; and Guy Ritchie, who co-wrote the screenplay with August.



  • Composer: Alan Menken, who is known for his musical scores for many Disney films such as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Pocahontas.



  • Lyricists: Howard Ashman, who wrote the lyrics for the original animated film's songs with Menken; Tim Rice, who wrote additional lyrics for the original film after Ashman's death; Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who wrote new lyrics for the live-action film's songs; and Will Smith, who wrote rap verses for some of the songs.



  • Producers: Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich, who are known for their work on films such as The Lego Movie, Sherlock Holmes, and Death Note.



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